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This year’s Canada Day celebrations will certainly be a once in a generation event. We mark 150 years since Confederation and this landmark birthday is being celebrated all over the country with huge events, fireworks shows and much more.
The Canadian Federal Government announced that it would be spending approximately half a billion dollars on the 150th anniversary- which means it will be a massive party!

Canada Day 150 Events Happening in Toronto

The theme of this year’s celebrations will be TO Canada with Love and the city will also be hosting Canada 150 Mosaic, which is an exhibition of over 80,000 paintings and 150 individual murals across the country. Here are some of the exciting things that will be happening in Canada this weekend:

Admission is free and celebrations will be taking place from 10am to 10pm, including roaming performers, music and dance performances, games, children’s activities and much more.

While you are out and about, check out some of our favorite places to eat for brunch!

What Does Canada 150 Mean?

The year 2017 marks the 150 year point since Confederation. In 1867 the Dominion of Canada was created as per the British North America Act. This brought together the colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada into one country – merging together English and French speaking Canada. The new Dominion of Canada was composed of four provinces, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Ontario and New Brunswick.

However, it could be argued that Canada as we know it is only turning 35 this year. It was in 1982 that Canada “patriated” the constitution, which allowed us to amend it without Britain’s approval. This was the event that enacted the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and it is when July 1st changed from “Dominion Day” to “Canada Day.”

But of course, this land is older than 150 and people lived in North America long before 1867. It was in 1142 that the Iroquois Confederacy was formed, which brought together five nations over the area which is now Canada, Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia and formed a “Great League of Peace.”

Even before that, the first evidence of human inhabitants in Canada has been dated back to 30,000 BCE – when people crossed over the Siberian land bridge as the Ice Age ended. A village discovered in British Columbia is one of the oldest human settlements in North America and pre-dates the pyramids.

No matter how you measure it, these days the modern nation of Canada is a cultural melting pot that celebrates diversity and is home to a mosaic of different ethnicities and traditions. What does it mean to be Canadian? It’s more than just beaver and maple syrup and snow shovels and hockey: it’s our identity of kindness, politeness, inclusion, acceptance and understanding – which is certainly something to celebrate. Happy Canada Day!

Life is too short to drink bad beer. Fortunately, there are several breweries in Toronto that have dedicated themselves to the art of crafting the perfect pint of suds. The craft beer scene in Toronto is thriving and these creative and hardworking brewers really take their beers seriously. Here are some of Toronto’s best breweries to sample some of the delicious local brews.

Left Field Brewery

This baseball-themed brewery knocked it out of the park at the Canadian Brewery Awards. They took home the gold for “Wrigley” – a refreshing North American style pale ale. Any of the beers in their line-up are sure not to strike out, so give them a try. If you are feeling adventurous and like dark and sweet beers – try the marshmallow mocha stout called “Sweet Jesus.”

Amsterdam Brewhouse

This is the oldest craft brewery in Toronto – it was established as a brew pub way back in 1986. Sit back in one of the comfortable Adirondack chairs and sip on the Barrel Aged Double Tempest, the Boneshaker IPA or the 3 Speed Session Lager. The food menu is also pretty great and pairs well with the beer, with yummy snacks such as mac & cheese croquettes, Amsterdam pretzels and sweet potato fries.

Toronto’s Best Breweries : Mill Street Brew Pub

This is another one of the city’s original craft brewers and it offers a great selection of 15 beers on tap, from seasonal brews to signature ales. They also offer traditional German Bierschnaps (the first time a Canadian microbrewery has attempted them), so why not give

them a try? They are a beer based spirit distilled in the only copper pot still in North America.

Granite Brewery

This family owned brewery is a local favourite and they have been around for over two decades. They make English style ales in small batches and they have won a lot of awards for their creations. Their cask ale Hopping Mad has been highly acclaimed at the Golden Tap Awards for the past three years.

Steam Whistle Brewery

Steam Whistle are gold medal winners at the Canadian Brewing awards and once you taste their delicious ales you will understand why. They have a sampling bar where you can take free sips of all of the different types of beers and find your favourite. You can also take a 30-minute tour of the facilities to see how the beer is made, then finish the tour with a cold bottle.

Get Well Brewery

Not only does this cool hangout have excellent craft beers, it also has pinball machines, retro 80s style arcade games and a very chilled out vibe. If you like Pale Ale, try the hoppy Pineball Wizard. Or, check out their currently nano-brew, which is always changing.

These are just a few of Toronto’s best breweries to start a local crawl of Toronto. And why not check out some of our picks for restaurants for groups! Enjoy responsibly and have fun!

Spring in Toronto is a welcome ray of sunshine after a long, cold and snowy Canadian winter. When those days start to get longer and the temperature starts to rise, everyone puts away their winter coats and breathes a sigh of relief. It just feels so good to be able to walk around without trudging through ice and snow (except for yesterday).

How should you spend spring in Toronto? Here are some ideas for ushering in the season which are close to your furnished apartments in Toronto!

Spring in Toronto with Cherry Blossoms in High Park

In late April to early May, High Park will come alive in a flurry of pale pink blossoms. It is truly a gorgeous sight to see and you’ll probably get some gorgeous photos. The trees are located all around Hillside Gardens, as well as surrounding the duck pond. You can check back with the High Park website for updates on when the flowers are blooming. Even better – pack a picnic with you so that you can relax in High Park and enjoy the view while feasting.

Take a Coffee Break at a Cafe With a Patio

Chill out in a sunlight-flooded cafe patio while fueling up on caffeine. There are many great spots that will awaken in springtime, such as Fika Cafe – a green oasis that even has a hammock! Or, try Jimmy’s Coffee in Kensington Market, right in the heart of one of the coolest areas of the city. Or, pull up a seat at one of the long communal tables at Full Stop, an independent coffee shop in The Junction.

Watch Some Thought-Provoking Documentaries

Melt any icicles that may have gathered on your mind throughout the winter by checking out some of Toronto’s great spring documentary film festivals. There is Doc Soup, which ends in April.Also, there is the Hot Docs Film Festival which runs from April 27th to May 7th. You’ll be able to check out an outstanding selection of hundreds of films from around the world. You are sure to find some interesting food for thought that will give you something to talk about with your friends.

Why not also check out some of the new restaurants in Toronto too? What are your favourite things to do when spring starts to bloom in Toronto? Let us know about them in the comments below.

Valentines Day Toronto is a great city for romance, as there are so many fun things to do with your sweetheart. No matter what you are into, you’ll find a unique, romantic and fun way to spend your Valentine’s Day. If you are looking for a creative and fun Valentine’s Day date, here are some ideas to inspire you.

If your darling has a sweet tooth, take them on a tour of Toronto’s best sweet shops and chocolateries. Valentines Day Toronto Food Nook Tours are guided rambles through Roncesvalles that teach you all about the culinary history of this lovely and welcoming neighbourhood. You’ll get to see how these yummy treats are made and enjoy a few samples.

You can take your sweetheart on a high flying date that will really make their heart soar. See the downtown Toronto skyline from above as you glide along in a helicopter. You’ll fly over the waterfront, the CN Tower and other prominent landmarks. Don’t forget your camera!

You can have a really gouda time with your special someone at Leslieville Cheese Market and Fine Foods, where you can take a special cheese appreciate workshop together. Each class includes delicious wines and a flight of cheeses and you’ll learn all about the finer points of each type of cheese.

If your Valentine is the creative type, they will absolutely love an evening of wine and art making with you at Paintlounge. You can paint portraits of each other, or just abstract expressions of your love. When you get home you can hang your finished works in your home – so that they will always remind you of a lovely Valentine’s date.

Salsa dancing is one of the sexiest things you can do with your partner in public with your clothes on – so why not learn these red hot moves? You can master this sensual dance at Lula Lounge, which hosts beginner lessons on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. When you have the steps figured out, get out on the dance floor and shake it!

What could be more romantic than a beautifully written love poem? Take your special someone to a poetry reading and let the power of words move and inspire you. The Black Swan hosts the Art Bar Poetry Series every Tuesday at 8pm. Perhaps it will inspire you to write a poem about your sweetheart?

These are just a few romantic ideas of what you can do with your sweetheart this Valentines Day Toronto. There’s so much to enjoy in this exciting and diverse city, so how will you surprise your special someone this year?

The exciting buildup to Christmas and New Year’s is over – now it’s just cold. However, don’t get too sad as January holds plenty of fun things to look forward to.

You may be feeling a little bit blah after the holiday season. You’ve returned to work, you’re a little bit worse for wear after indulging in too much eggnog and cookies and the January days can be dark and dreary. However, there are many ways to lift your spirits and avoid the January blues. Here are some of the great things that you can do in Toronto this month.

Brighten up your January with some excellent theatre and comedy. This year the festival will be celebrating its 10th anniversary of offering a diverse showcase of thought provoking and funny theatre. Since it began 10 years ago, the festival has been attended by over 75,000 guests. Check out the schedule here to see which plays, improv shows and comedies are currently on.

The second year of the Something Strange Circus Sideshow Festival will be an eclectic gathering of freaks and geeks from all over the world. From ventriloquists to contortionists to sword swallowers to stuntmen to burlesque dancers and much more, this show will baffle and amaze you.

Eat Some Poutine

On a cold January day, there’s nothing more comforting than piping hot chips smothered in rich gravy and squeaky cheese curds. Poutine is a Canadian

delicacy and there are many great places in

Toronto to feast on this warm and satisfying dish.

Fancy Franks offers special poutines with unique toppings such as Korean Beef Ribs and a fried egg or BBQ Pulled Pork and a deep fried pickle. The poutine at Leslieville Pumps is made with rich dark gravy made from the beef smoker and aged potatoes. Or, you could try the Tex Mex poutine at Come and Get It, which is served with beef chorizo, cilantro, pico de gallo salsa, crispy tortilla chips and sour cream. For more suggestions, check out this guide to the 15 Best Poutine Spots in Toronto.

Go Tobogganing

Zooming down a hill on a toboggan with the fresh winter breeze in your hair is a great cure for the January blues – it will bring you back to the carefree days of your youth. You’ll have lots of great tobogganing hills to choose from. Check out Riverdale Park East for an inviting slope and great views of the city skyline, or Withrow Park for a steep incline that has a set of stairs along the side to make getting back to the top easier. Donora Park, in a quiet residential area, has a smaller hill that is very kid-friendly.

Ripley’s Aquarium Beach Bash

January 27, 2017

If the January cold is really getting to you, why not pretend that you are in the tropics for a few hours? The Beach Bash in the Six is a beach party in the middle of winter where you can party in your swimsuit, sip on a rum cocktail and go for a ride on a surf simulator. It might be freezing outside, but it’s summer in here!

How do you like to beat the January blues in Toronto? Let us know in the comments below. Check out our blog too on some fun things to do in Toronto!